PRF/J: Regulation of Phytophagus Insect Populations: Density Perturbation Experiments on Microrhopala vittata, an Herbivore of Solidago

PRF/J：植食性昆虫种群的调控：一枝黄花草食动物 Microrhopala vittata 的密度扰动实验

• 批准号: 8821263
• 负责人: Naomi Cappuccino
• 金额: $ 5.88万
• 依托单位: Individual Award
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Fellowship Award
• 财政年份: 1989
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1989-05-01 至 1991-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=8821263&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: PRF; Regulation; Phytophagus; Insect; Populations

It has long been debated whether populations of phytophagous insects are regulated by density-dependent processes acting to return their densities to equilibrium levels, or whether they are characterized instead by non-equilibrium processes such as local extinction and recolonization. This question will be addressed by performing density-perturbation experiments on Microrhopala vittata, a leaf-mining beetle that feeds on goldenrod (Solidago spp.). Work will commence with assessments of density, mortality and fecundity of this beetle in several small (1000 stems) stands of goldenrod. Populations will then have their density experimentally supplemented (to levels 10-20% below the minimum observed), and the effect of these manipulations on predation, parasitism, fecundity and dispersal will be quantified. All samples for mortality and fecundity will be done non-destructively (no Microrhopala or enemies will be killed) so that quantification of these processes will not affect population density. A return of Microrhopala density to more moderate levels following perturbations will support the equilibrium viewpoint. Alternatively, supplemented populations may irrupt and reduced populations may become locally extinct; this would constitute evidence for the non-equilibrium viewpoint. Funding is being awarded for two years of postdoctoral fellowship research at The University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada.

长期以来，人们一直在争论，植食性昆虫的种群是由密度依赖的过程来调节的，还是以局部灭绝和重新定居等非平衡过程为特征的。这个问题将通过对以黄花(Solidago spp.)为食的采叶甲虫进行密度扰动实验来解决。工作将开始于评估这种甲虫在几个小(1000茎)黄花林中的密度、死亡率和繁殖力。然后对种群密度进行实验补充(低于最低观察水平10-20%)，并量化这些操作对捕食、寄生、繁殖力和扩散的影响。所有死亡率和繁殖力的样本都将以非破坏性方式进行(不会杀死小卷蛾或天敌)，因此这些过程的量化不会影响种群密度。微藻密度在扰动后恢复到更适中的水平将支持平衡观点。或者，补充的种群可能会扰乱，减少的种群可能会局部灭绝；这将构成非平衡观点的证据。加拿大蒙特利尔魁北克大学正在为两年的博士后奖学金研究提供资金。